SUBJECT: Committee meeting
DATE: 2 June 2018 at 13:55
TO: Isabel Beck
My house, 7 p.m., Tuesday. Bring notebook and pen.
FROM: Marianne Payne
SUBJECT: Poppy
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 14:56
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin, I’ve just heard the terribly sad news and want to reassure you that, despite all you’re going through now, being blind is no barrier to living a full and happy life. I had an aunt on my mother’s side completely blind from birth. She went to college, worked for an equine insurer, married a Scot and died at sixty-nine of a brain bleed. Being so young means Poppy won’t remember being sighted at all, and her other senses will compensate. The body is a wonderful gift. We are all praying for you, Martin, and if you change your mind about the Lourdes water, just let me know. All my love, Marianne
FROM: Denise Malcolm
SUBJECT: Poor little Poppy
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 15:30
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin and Helen, as if you haven’t suffered enough. Poor, poor Poppy. I used to see a blind man every day on the Tube when I worked in London. I’d watch him read things in Braille and carry his guide dog on the escalator. I don’t know what he did, but it must’ve been a job. Martin, make sure you apply for a blue badge. The application takes ages and they make you jump through hoops, but it’s a godsend in town on Saturdays. God bless, Denise
FROM: John O’Dea
SUBJECT:
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 18:05
TO: Martin Hayward . . .
Clearing out Mum’s things, we found a box of audio books. We can discuss price.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Bloody Tony Zucchero!
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 18:36
TO: Martin Hayward
Bloody Tony Zucchero! I don’t know who he told, and it doesn’t really matter, because the grapevine has decreed that Poppy is now blind. Please don’t worry about this, or take up valuable time trying to set the record straight. I’ll put something definitive in my first committee update at the end of the week. I can only apologise for cooking up such a story in the first place. On a positive note, the committee meeting is full steam ahead for Tuesday. Everyone I hoped for is on board – and more. James enlisted that mousy girl to take minutes, so if by a miracle she manages to do so, I’ll forward them on. I’ll take my own notes, just in case. Meanwhile, Kevin is sourcing suppliers for T-shirts, badges and keyrings, so he’ll let you know how much we need from the account in due course.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Glen Reswick
SUBJECT: Money
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 19:00
TO: Martin Hayward
Have you seen the fundraising page? It’s jumped by more than £4k overnight, thanks to donations from people who think Poppy is going blind. Will they be suspicious when they see us out and about? We don’t want anyone feeling they’ve been conned, when they’ve been kind enough to support us.
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Bloody Tony Zucchero!
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 20:09
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Yes, we have had a significant response to the Zucchero rumour. It seems all our friends know a blind person who lives a happy and fulfilling life. While Poppy is not sight-impaired at the moment, vision problems are a long-term side-effect of the conventional chemo she is on, so while the rumour is overblown, it is not without foundation. The sooner she can be taken off these horrible drugs and put on the new combination, the sooner the risk of that side-effect will abate. Perhaps you could include that explanation in your committee update? Regards.
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Fundraising
DATE: 3 June 2018 at 20:34
TO: Lydia Drake
Dear Ms Drake,
Many thanks for your email. I would be very interested to hear about your strategy. I see you are based in London – I can meet you there. Are you available next Monday, 11 June?
Regards, Martin Hayward
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Tonight!
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 09:51
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Hiya SJ, sorry to bother you, but this is just to let you know I am fully prepared for the committee meeting tonight. Sam has explained what taking the minutes entails, so I’ve bought everything I need: a matching notebook and pen, a mini pencil case and a plastic folder to put everything in. If there’s anything else you need me to bring, just say, as I’ll pass Paperchase again on the way home. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to help Poppy. Feeling useful makes all the difference. Love Issy xxx
PS If you need someone to make the tea or help me take the minutes, I know Sam is still keen to be involved. Just say the word!
FROM: Alasdair Hynes
SUBJECT:
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 11:40
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Hi Tish, look, we have to run a full audit on this. We’ve been sent a professionally printed order of service for an event called Poppy’s Ball in aid of this charity, and it very clearly names you as a speaker. I’ve had to declare myself an acquaintance of yours and have passed the case on to a colleague. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more I can do. Alex
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re:
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 13:14
TO: Alasdair Hynes
Dear Alex, I’m sorry you’ve been put in this position. They named me as a speaker at the event, without asking me first. As soon as I heard about it, I told them it was never going to happen and didn’t even attend. These are the people you have to see in private practice: the epitome of white entitlement. They think the earth should stop turning for their child to be cured. It doesn’t occur to them no one else is as committed to their family as they are. If they’d seen what we have, they’d be grateful for the many privileges they not only take for granted, but demand, with no sense of their own insignificance in the world. They could afford these drugs if they sold their assets, but they are affronted by the very idea of paying for healthcare and prefer others to foot the bill. These are the people I must deal with to save children. On another matter, I know who sent you the document: someone with a grudge and their own agenda. Thank you for your support, Alex, and again, I’m sorry. Tish
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Question
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 13:33
TO: Martin Hayward
A quick confidential question, Martin. You know a Samantha Greenwood who works as a nurse at St Ann’s. Has she, by any chance, ever mentioned me?
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Question
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 14:46
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Yes. She recently joined our drama group. I didn’t want to bother you with it. In short, she questioned your involvement in Poppy’s appeal. Implied you were bamboozling us. She’s running a half-marathon for the appeal, so she means well, but she’s one of those who has a problem with authority and will more readily believe a fanciful conspiracy theory than the mundane truth. We are already distancing ourselves from her. She’s nothing for you to worry about. Regards.
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re: Question
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 14:51
TO: Martin Hayward
I suspected as much. She’s a troublemaker and has tried to report me to the BMA. All nonsense, but they have to investigate. They won’t find anything. It’s just irritating. Tish
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT:
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 15:00
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Your attempts to get back at me are childish and futile. When they know what you tried to do, they will simply dismiss every word you say. That’s what happens when you make false accusations.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: OMG!
> DATE: 5 June 2018 at 23:18
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam! Sorry if this email wakes you up, but I’m just back from the committee meeting and literally buzzing with excitement. People speak so quickly – much quicker than I can write – so I hope I can remember some of the things I didn’t have time to scribble down. I took so many notes I’ve half-filled my new notebook. I’ve downloaded a template, now I have to type up everything and number each point. Did you realise taking the minutes was such a responsibility? I feel quite moved that James and Sarah-Jane trust me with it. Hope I don’t mess up. Would you mind looking over the minutes before I send them in, just to check I’m doing the right thing? I would be so grateful. Now I have to kick-start my old laptop – wait ages for it to update and crash a few times – so I can begin. Have to be up at five, so should really go to bed, but know I won’t sleep a wink. So sorry you couldn’t be there. I didn’t get a chance to say anything, but luckily taking minutes is more listening than talking, so it suits me down to the ground. I’ve already mentioned to Sarah-Jane that you could pop along and help me in future; so that seed is sown, it just needs to germinate. I must wind down. Thanks, Sam, for all your help, you are such a lovely friend to me. Love Issy xxx
FROM: Arnie Ballancore
SUBJECT: How’s it going?
DATE: 5 June 2018 at 23:22
TO: Kel Greenwood
How’s it going? Heard you were back and got your new email address from Tanya. Where are you living now, mate? I’m at my mum’s, but we don’t get on, so hoping to move out any day now. Haven’t been able to work for a bit, so things are up in the air. You know when I got back, I left nursing? Yeah, started at a hospital near Reading, but couldn’t get along with anyone. Do you find that? It’s like people here are so petty and small-minded. I got to thinking that everyone – like everyone – should spend a year volunteering in a bush clinic and then complain when they’ve waited three hours for an ambulance. Got a job with Venture Travel, taking backpackers round Cambodia and Vietnam. Start of this year told them I didn’t want to do any more tours. Don’t know why, really. Didn’t feel the same way about it that I felt about nursing, when I started. No enthusiasm. Went to Africa wanting to make a difference. Change the world. But that didn’t happen. Instead Africa changed me. I’m not who I was and now I don’t know who I am. Sorry to lay all this on you, mate, but I think of you guys. How’s Sam? What happened with that trouble she had? Did she go to court in the end? Say hi from me. Arnie
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Minutes!
DATE: 6 June 2018 at 05:57
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Hiya SJ! It was lovely to see you, Kevin and Harley last night. Your house is beautifully decorated, like a magazine, and I don’t know what herbal tea that was, but it tasted very healthy. I feel so honoured you trust me to do the minutes (attached). I hope they are an accurate reflection of what was said in the meeting, as now and again I lost the thread and had to make something up to fit. Anyway, don’t worry if I missed something out; just let me know and I can add it. On another matter, Sarah-Jane, I noticed you were making notes on a plain spiral notepad. Would you like a more decorative notebook? Paperchase have some beautiful designs. I hope you can make Sam’s half-marathon on Sunday, but if not, I’ll see you at the next rehearsal. Good luck to Harley for his swim. Love Issy xxx
A Cure for Poppy Committee Meeting Minutes, as taken by Isabel Beck
Date: 5 June 2018
Time: 7.33 p.m.
Place: Sarah-Jane MacDonald’s house
In attendance: Isabel Beck, Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald, Emma Crooks, Celia and Joel Halliday, Karen Payne.
Apologies for absence: Well, none, but I suppose the Haywards and Reswicks would be here, if they could. Also, I know Sam and Kel Greenwood would love to be involved.
Review of previous minutes: As this is the first-ever committee meeting, we don’t have any previous minutes. I’ll just leave this section blank. Is that ok, Sarah-Jane?
Matters arising:
1. Fundraising to date
Sarah-Jane spoke about Poppy’s Ball and how it raised almost £90,000. That, and all the donations received so far, mean that Martin has made the first payment for Poppy’s drugs, so that’s wonderful news! All we have to do now is raise the rest.
2. Planned events
The next fundraising event is Sam’s half-marathon on Sunday. This wasn’t mentioned at the meeting, and I didn’t want to interrupt anyone, but I’m very keen she gets a good response. She’s got 115% of her target already. I’ll be there on Sunday to cheer her across the finish and have even made a banner, which I’m hoping Kel will help me unravel.
Some other events were mentioned at this point, but I got lost when everyone was talking. Harley is doing a swim with his swimming club tomorrow. Someone at Celia’s work is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Barry is doing an eating challenge called an Elvis Cookathon, but no one seemed convinced that would make any money.
3. Merchandise
Sarah-Jane had the brilliant idea of making a range of merchandise: T-shirts, badges, pens and keyrings. She must have been very confident the committee would approve this, as she and Kevin have already had samples made and decided which manufacturer to use. They’ve also picked a logo for the campaign that, if I’m honest, looks like a child’s drawing of a buttercup with blood on its petals. Sarah-Jane held up a T-shirt to show us and there was a long moment of shocked silence. The thing is, she’s worked so hard I don’t think anyone wanted to criticise, so they all said how lovely it looked. I wonder, though: do people who donate realise that some of the money is being spent on merchandise rather than on Poppy’s drugs?
4. Ideas-brainstorm
This is where my note-taking skills let me down. Everyone had something to say, and ideas were thrown in, discussed and thrown out at an alarming speed. I think the following is more or less accurate:
1. Karen will hold a race night for her colleagues at work. Apparently, this involves getting old video recordings of horse races for people to bet on. Not my thing at all. According to Kevin, ‘those evenings are a licence to print money’ and if you ‘mark up the bar, you can double profits because drinking and gambling habits go hand in hand’.
2. Emma wants to do a Moonlight Yogathon on Midsummer’s Night. She thinks it will be quite popular as it coincides with a full moon. Interestingly, psychotic episodes can coincide with a full moon – ask anyone in A&E.
3. Celia said she will front an All My Sons fundraising drive. The profits are already going to the appeal, but she thinks selling merchandise on the nights, taking collection buckets round the audience and handing out leaflets promoting the crowdfunding web link will maximise the potential of our ‘captive audience’.
4. A raffle. Sarah-Jane wants to organise a raffle that lasts several weeks to give everyone time to sell lots of tickets. We will all be issued with a set number of tickets to sell to our friends. Hopefully I will be exempt, as all my friends are Fairway Players too and will be selling their own tickets. I nearly fell off Harley’s beanbag when SJ said the tickets would be £10 each.
5. Any other business
Sarah-Jane said Martin was surprised everyone knew about Poppy’s eyesight problems, as the family hadn’t told a soul. She assured us Poppy isn’t totally blind yet, but it’s on the cards. I didn’t want to interrupt anyone, but I’ve not heard that chemo causes blindness. If Poppy’s eyesight is deteriorating at this stage, I would urge them to have an MRI on her optic nerve. Her doctor has probably got it in hand.
Celia made the point that it’s not just money for the appeal that will support the family, but practical, hands-on help too. She reeled off a very long list of things she and Joel are doing on a voluntary basis at The Grange. Poppy has her chemo on Mondays and Thursdays, so they always need extra help then, because Helen takes her to Mount More with Paige. Apparently a lot of building work is about to start at The Gra
nge, plus some long-standing events, as well as the day-to-day classes and catering. Emma is looking after the Reswicks’ dog and working extra hours. I felt a bit mean, but with my shifts I know I can’t manage anything else, even if I was paid for it, let alone if I wasn’t, so I didn’t say anything.
Sarah-Jane’s personal focus for the next couple of weeks will be to increase the social-media presence of the campaign. She is working on the national news sites and channels, but apparently there are so many people raising money for overseas healthcare there isn’t much newsworthiness to Poppy’s story. I find that extraordinary. Surely we have the best treatment here for free? I think families feel utterly helpless in the face of serious illness, and raising money gives them a way to feel they are doing something to help.
Sarah-Jane asked if we knew any rich people who might make a more substantial donation. If only! She’s heard about a wealthy businessman who paid the whole amount to an appeal like Poppy’s once. Well, I don’t know anyone that well-off, boo.
6. Next meeting
Sarah-Jane has set the next meeting for two weeks’ time. I’ll need to check what shift I’m on and get a notebook with lines rather than blank pages.
End of the minutes
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Minutes!
DATE: 6 June 2018 at 09:09
TO: Isabel Beck
Received. Will read in due course.
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Committee meeting
DATE: 6 June 2018 at 10:14
TO: James Hayward
CC: Martin Hayward
Dear James and Martin,
Please find attached the outcome of the committee meeting last night. That insipid girl sent through her minutes, but when I saw the length of the document I lost the will to live and haven’t read it. You don’t need to know every little detail. In short, we are all on the same page and on course to generate the remaining money. Speaking of which, Martin, please can you confirm the exact amounts raised and required. It’s the one question I’m asked all the time, and the only one I can’t answer. People like definitive figures to aim for.
The Appeal Page 9
